I apologize in advance for having no clear focus to this post. I guess I just want this to be kind of a fun/tribute/reflection kind of rambling. How's that sound for a heads up?

I'm currently working on the third book in the Fortytude series. What is the Fortytude series, you ask? Good question, because up until a couple of weeks ago, the series had no name. It was only when I scheduled a blog tour for Vegas to Varanasi and Menopause to Matrimony, and the tour coordinator asked me the name of the series, that I decided I should probably come up with one. So Fortytude it is.

Anyhoo, in this third book, which will be titled Harmony to Heartburn, there will be quite a bit of Anna's father. As some of you may know, I like to envision certain celebrities for my characters so I have a better feel for their personalities, appearance, and/or mannerisms. Right around the period I began creating Anna's father was the awful time that Robin Williams died, bringing him to the forefront of my mind.

His death hit me really hard, and it made me realize how much I've always adored him. It seems I don't realize my love for a public figure until they're taken from us, and it takes me by surprise. I remember it was the same when Princess Diana died. Of course I loved and admired her, as many did, however when she died I was surprised to find myself crying for days! I never knew it was in me.

John Ritter was another one. John Ritter? What the hell? I never gave John Ritter a second thought, but I remember exactly where I was when I saw it on TV, and I immediately started crying--not for days like Princess Diana, but still.

Michael Jackson. Ugh! I was heartbroken when he left us. Just devastated. That one didn't really surprise me though. There were definitely a few days of boo-hooing over him, and to this day I can still get a little misty when I think on the fact that he's gone.

Obviously, I don't do this every time a celebrity dies. We lose celebrities every day, but I find it odd when a death hits me particularly hard. Which brings me back to Robin Williams. Not only do I feel his death was a tremendous loss because of his humor and compassion, but it was especially tragic that he spent his life bringing so much joy and laughter to others, while inside he was a tortured soul. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

I always thought his blue eyes were so full of playfulness and kindness, but after he died, I remember others saying they felt his eyes often hinted a deep sadness. I never saw it. I was in complete shock to learn he'd taken his life. I dearly hope he now has the peace he failed to find while he was still with us.

The reason I mention Robin is because he is who I modeled Anna's father after in Menopause to Matrimony. As I said earlier, I'm currently working on the third book, in which I've included a scene where Anna and her father, Everett, ride the Voodoo Zipline together here in Las Vegas. Everett's the adventurous one; Anna is terrified.

Given that up until today I hadn't been on the ride, I figured I'd better check it out if I was going to have any idea what I was talking about. I have watched several YouTube videos of people riding, some quite hilarious I might add, but it's not the same as experiencing it firsthand when you have the opportunity to do so. And it's a good thing I did, otherwise I would have gotten a few of the details wrong.

I wasn't crazy about the idea of doing this, because with age I've become increasingly fearful of heights. Luckily it turns out it really wasn't all that bad. The anticipation was definitely the worst part. In fact, when the Rio Tower came into view as I was driving down the freeway, the butterflies started immediately as I contemplated the height of that building!

It wasn't so much the ride itself that scared me sh*tless--it was my irrational fears. Visions of the cable suddenly splitting and unraveling. Or a nearby helicopter malfunctioning, careening into our line and taking us with it. A faulty seatbelt disconnecting, dropping me and my daughter to our deaths. I know, I know... Been watching too many movies.

Anyway, I hope that my rather aimless post wasn't too bothersome. For now, I will leave you with the video footage I posted on Facebook of my daughter and I riding the zipline. If you're ever in Vegas, you should give it a go. If I can do it, you can! ;)

So we did it. My daughter and I did the Voodoo Zipline today and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The anticipation and the first couple seconds of the ride were the worst part. All in the name of book research. ;)

I loved this post. And, I loved your first two books. I look forward to #3 and I will watch carefully for "Robin" in the dad character. What a brilliant thing to do - craft your characters by imagining a celebrity.

Julie, I watch it and can't believe I was as calm as I was. I must have just gone to my happy place or something, because heights pretty much freak me out now. I'm sure there are those far worse than me who would never even consider it. Glad you like the name of the series. The lovely Martha Reynolds helped me come up with it. :)

I wish I had the courage to zipline, but I am just a lightweight at heart! Awesome video and how proud you must feel to have done this. My sister was the one who wanted to ride motorcycles and do more thrilling things, living on a small boat, etc. I sleep with six dogs and find that to be the extent of my daring nature. Hoping one does not whack me in the nose with a paw or share fleas. Yikes. I am going to check out your books and thank you for reminding us again of how great Robin Williams was. He is missed.

Oh, that video is totally giddy-making. But I admit, this is a different type of zip-lining from the kind I've done (and therefore my conceptions of what it means). My experience was in a forest, and participants wear a harness, then you zing along a rope and use a gloved hand on the rope to slow yourself at the end (hopefully).
More info: http://www.sonomacanopytours.com/
And for Robin Williams, yes, I was very saddened by his death, precisely for the reason that his work seemed so full of levity that to know he was suffering so badly inside was incredibly moving. A lesson that we often don't know what's going on behind the scenes for someone.

Pauline, we have a zipline here in downtown Vegas on Fremont street that's more like what you described. I've seen videos of the kind you refer to that take you through the jungle, so I suppose the Voodoo Zipline isn't what most would envision. I think at the height we were at, I'd prefer the chair to a harness. :)

Yay for you going on the ride. I'm such a scaredy cat when it comes to things like that.
I'm not normally bothered by celebrity deaths (other than, oh that's sad, I feel for the family). But this year when Jonathan Crombie (aka Gilbert Blythe) died, I was bereft for three days. Literally bereft. I've never experienced anything like that with a celebrity death.

Sandie, I'm not familiar with Jonathan Crombie, but it sounds like you were taken by surprise by your reaction from the loss. It's strange, isn't it? To be so broken up over someone you've never met? Apparently he had touched your heart in some way. <3

I miss Robin too. I think his death hit me especially hard because I'd loved him since he did his guest appearance on Happy Days. I miss him. I don't like that he's not here in the 3-D world with us anymore, because he made it a better place. I miss other celebrities for the same reason--George Harrison, John Lennon, Douglas Adams, Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn. Such wonderful souls.

Agreed, Jayne. I saw a quote on a friend's FB timeline attributed to Robin Williams which said, "I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy because they know what it feels like to feel absolutely worthless and they don't want anyone else to feel like that." Breaks my heart. :(

I loved reading this today, because so much is in the news right now about the lion that was killed, Cecil. I have a YouTube series, and I talked today about how a death that's removed from us can help us see something about the sacredness of life. Sometimes we need that outside perspective to remind us how precious life is, and how wonderful and beautiful people can be.

Melissa, I wish we had more reminders of how wonderful and beautiful people can be. We know this, but we're bombarded with news of all the horrible behaviors every day. It's easy to understand when people develop the "people suck" attitude, but there's a lot of good that goes on that unfortunately we never hear about.